Animal-trap.



PATENTED APR. 7, 1903.

A. W. PHILLIPS.

ANIMAL TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1902,.

H0 MODEL.

Hz uonms PETERS co, PHOTO-LIYHO WASHINGTON, 0 c

1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALLEN w. PHILLIPS, OFPRQVIDENCE, RH DE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT D MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO .THE ANIMAL AUTOMOBILE AND NOVELTY COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

SP CIFICATION forming part of Letters-Patent No. 724,931, dated April 7, 1903.

- Application filed November 20, 1902. Serial No.'132,172. (No model.)

tion is to provide means whereby the animal will move the trap upon the floor.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved trap as set to catch theanimal. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation View of the trap, taken in line W'W of Fig. 3 and illustrating how the animal operates the movement of the trap; and Fig. 3 is a cross-sec-.

tional view of the trap, taken in line X X of Fi 2. v

Ilike letters of reference indicate like parts. A designates the trap-cage, of a rectangular shape in cross-section and having top and botdoor and projects vertically therewith.

c is a coil-spring having its ends secured to the door a and top wall a of the cage.

(1 is a trigger-rod pivoted to the top wall a and arrangedto receive the bait 6 within the cage, and this rod has an outer bent portion (1 to engage upon the end of the wire or arm I) for the purpose-of holding the door a open when the trap is set to catch the animal in the manner as shown in Fig. 1.

B designates a hollow wheel or roller casing, and the width of this wheel is made somewhat narrower than the width of the cage A, which is divided to receive the said wheel at this end thereof and which wheel B is mounted and rotatable upon an axle f, whose ends project from the sides 9 and g of said wheel and enter trunnions h h, secured to the opflanges are arranged to cover the openings '5 z in the same in the manner as shown in Fig. 3.

This animal-trap is provided with three wheels'the roller-casing B, as described, and two small wheels is is, mounted and rotatable upon the ends of an axle Z, which is secured to the bottom of the cage.

When the trap is set, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the mouse or other small animal will eventually be attracted to the bait, and as soon as he pulls the same'he detaches the trigger-rod d from its connection with the wire or arm b of the door a and which is instantly closed by the spring 0. been caught alive within the cage in roaming about to find an exit he will enter the end inclosure a of the cage, from whence he will pass through one of the openings 71 and into the wheel-casing B, which as soon as the animal lands on its circular wall rotates, and thus causing the device to move upon the floor in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 2. To reduce the friction of the tread of the main wheel B in the movement of the trap, the sides 9 and 9 project from its circular wall, as shown in Fig. 3.

In the construction ofthis device the cage A and wheel B are made entirelyof wiregauze or closely-perforated tin, not only to reduce the weight of the trap, but also to afford a clear view of the movements of the animal.

It will be readily understood from this description that the device may be shaped in the construction to represent a steam-roller, automobile, or other miniature vehicle.

This invention forms a very attractive de- After the animal has thus vice, is simple in its construction, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an animal-trap, the combination of a cage provided with an opening at each end thereof, a trigger-rod pivotally mounted in said cage, a spring-controlled door hinged at one open end of said cage and arranged to be closed by the movement of said trigger, a

wheel-casing pivotally mounted on said cage cage, an axle secured on said cage, two circular flanges integral with said cage and concentric to the center of said axle, an enlarged hollow flanged wheel pivotally mounted on said axle and interposed between the flanges of said cage, said hollow wheel provided with openings in its side and forming a passage from said hollow wheel to said cage, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an animal-trap, the combination of a cage mounted on wheels and one of which wheels is made hollow and provided with an opening in its side forming an exit between said cage and said hollow wheel, so arranged that when the animal enters the hollow wheel he causes the trap to move, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALLEN WV. PHILLIPS.

Witnesses:

ELMER WALKER, WM. H. PEoK. 

